The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-06
STILL AFTER THE RASCALS.
The Prosecution of the Local Ballot Rob-
bers To Be Vigorously Pushed.
The Committee of One Hundred Declares that
1t Will Bring the Political Criminals
to Trial and Convict Them.

Notwithstanding the incemency of last nights
weather and the fact that the Committee of One
Hundred is composed of citizens staid and elder
ly. twenty FIVE of them gathered at Superior
Court room No. 2. to take counsel as to what
further was to be done in the prosecution of the
tally sheet forgers, now temporarily enjoying
breathing spell. The meeting was called to or
der by Mr.. S. T. Bowen, president of the COM
mite. and William Fl. Hobbs was chosen secre-
tary pro tenn. The report of the treasurer. w.
P. Gallup, showed the total amount subscribed
TO the committee to aid in the prosecution to
have been $685. of which 5000 had been paid in.
Of this balance Of $106 O5 still remained on
hand.
The meeting was for the most part an inform
al one but was characterized by wholesome
earnestness. every member present expressing
himself in favor of continuing the prosecution
to the end for the sake of the fair name of the
city and in the interest of good citizenship. Mr.
Bowen made brief speech in which he said
that public sentiment had already been greatly
improved over what it was in November last by
the testimony that had been brought out con-
corning these frauds. He said: "The men
guilty of these crimes upon the balot-box
should be treated as forgers, perjurers and
traitors. Their prosecution is not question OF
politics. it is a question of crime. and no
party can afford to excuse much less to encour-
age frauds on the part of its members merely
for temporary advantage. Nor would the con-
viction of those guilty of these crimes inure the
party of which they are members any more than
the conviction of q thief murderer would
injure the community in which he lived. Mo-
tves of safety as we'll as of patriotism require
US to continue this work theoretically and per-
slstently until such safeguards are thrown
around the ballot box that the community shall
hc GaI xu;th fbod oc1a Ae al
ton the expressed will of the people"
Judge Martindale said, II have no desire to
rest until the men who forged those tallysheets
are in the penitentiary, and we can place them
there. No man can sit in the jury box-I do not
care whether he is Republican or Democrat-and
with the proofs we have to offer return a verdict
of not guilty. / am in favor of proceeding with
this prosecution as il these forgeries had just
been discovered. Let US go on with the work as
II we were in for seven years war Some of
these men and their friends have made remarks
about members of this committee, including
myself. l do not propose that any OF these
thieves shall blackguard or brow beat me. or keep
me from going on with this work. l understand
that Major Mitchell has given his honest pledge
that this prosecution in the State court shall be
conducted with all the power. energy and intelli-
gence he is capable of exercising. and in that
case I believe we can do as we'll in the State
court as anywhere"
Capt. Eli F. Ritter said: 'It is no secret that
when these things were first complained of
nobody thought conviction could be- had in
Marion county, and we were driven to the United
States Court We have gained by delay. |
want to say, in justice to the officers of the
Criminal Court, that every opportunity will be
afforded for fair investigation before the grand
jury. and. when the evidence is found, these
men can can and will be convicted. deter
mined expression from this committee will do
more to secure this conviction than anything
that can be done. 1t is public opinion that
judges, juries and witnesses respect We can
cot mi int ha So
rify others that we will have security for our
elections for years to come"
Short speeches were made by W. D. Wiles,
Gen Geo B. Wright, W. Fl. Hobbs, d. b.
Shideer, A. A McKain George Tanner Judge
d. V. Burns and VIM. Henderson. Mr.. Hen
derson said: I'VE have evidences, kndisputable
that we are on the right track, and 1t is only a
question of time until we capture the rascals
and get them in the penitentary. We expect to
turn these rascals in. Many persons have said
to me that while they were willing to contrib
ute. they did not want to connect themselves
with this movement for fear 1t would injure
their business. Some have said their business
has been threatened One man came to me.
now an ex State officer, and almost went down
On his knees to beg me to get off this committee.
l told him | had entered for the war.
We have lost nothing by the laws delays /.
myself less than month ago. obtained high
ly-important piece of information that cannot
help but convict. Let US have citizens meet
ing, and when we do have it [ want to say
something TO some Eentiemou WHO nave paiu
their respects me. have malice toward
ar body but I do want those gentlemen turned
in" Laughter and applause
Ex-Mayor McMaster offered the following
resolution. which was unanimously adopted
Resolved, That it is the of this Committee of
One Hundred that the executive committee has pur-
sued judcious thus far. and should con
tnue the prosecution of the election frauds in the
State court BY all the in their power the end
that those guilty of said frauds may be tried and
shed and said committee is hereby instructed TO
| proceed
! at the Criminal Court room on Wednesday even
| ing March 8, at o'clock